2 Julius Randle trades Knicks could consider after Donovan Mitchell news
1: A trade that would send Julius Randle back to the Lakers
If Julius Randle does get traded, it seems like it’ll be back to where he was drafted in 2014. The Jazz trading Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers not only affected the Knicks but the Los Angeles Lakers as well because it was rumored that a three-team deal could take place. As things currently stand, Russell Westbrook is still on LA’s roster.
Before Knicks fans start coming after me with pitchforks, the idea behind this trade wouldn’t be to keep Westbrook in New York. It’d be a way for the Knicks to move on from Randle (if that’s what they desire) and to receive some draft compensation in the process.
The only way that New York should be willing to get Westbrook in a trade from Los Angeles is if the Lakers include both of their first-round picks. The Lakers wouldn’t only be getting Randle in this scenario, but also Evan Fournier. With the Knicks not trading for Donovan Mitchell, that means that Quentin Grimes should be the team’s starting shooting guard in place of Fournier, which could motivate the front office to find a new team for the Frenchman.
New York would be free from both Randle and Fournier’s contracts, would add two first-round picks to their treasure chest, and would buyout Westbrook. As mentioned before, this move would give Toppin the minutes that he deserves, which is something that fans have been calling for.
If the Knicks are prepared to move on from Julius Randle, the front office could consider these two trades. Or if Randle isn’t traded before Oct. 19 and he doesn’t perform as expected, New York may then make the decision to move on from him during the season.
Regardless, if the Knicks are serious about trading Randle, they need to carefully consider their options, but fans can put their trust in the front office to do what makes the most sense for the future of the organization.
